Grimwith Laithe

Helen and I took an easy, pleasant walk around Grimwith Reservoir, north east of Grassington today. It's a great place to be when the weather is good and we had the added pleasure of the heather on the far moor being resplendent in purple.  Helen took her identification books and we had several waterfowl and birds to look up, but I guess winter is the season for bird spotting as Grimwith is an over wintering site for a range of birds.  There were lots of grouse and pheasants along the path and we tried to ensure they stayed there rather than flying on to the open moor where they would be at risk from the 'Glorious' Twelfth supporters!

Once round to the far side of the reservoir we came across the poetry stones embedded in the dry stone walls and paused to read up on the hamlet of 'Get Up' which was submerged when the reservoir was raised in the 1970s, with just one ruin remaining to mark its passing.

The last time I was here with Tony they were doing some restoration work on an old barn and today we were able to catch up with its progress.  The barn in my blip is a Cruck Barn which was a Scandinavian design and very popular in the Dales until wood to create the huge curved beams needed for the steep pitched roofs became scarce.  This one has been partially rebuilt and thatched as it would have been in its day, 400 years ago, with heather.  It sits very well in its place by the water.

Once back at the car we drove a short distance to the hamlet of Hebden, to the Old School Tearoom, and had a very nice lunch of asparagus, pea and mint soup followed by tropical cake (very rich, good job we shared a piece!)

Thanks to Helen for the good company as always!

More Grimwith blips here!